Striking Coke Plant Workers Reject Offer

FOLLANSBEE, W.Va. (AP) — Both sides say they're willing to resume contract talks after workers at Severstal's Follansbee plant rejected a proposed deal. Media outlets report that United Steelworkers members at the Mountain State Carbon coke plant rejected the proposed contract last week on a 181-73 vote. Severstal spokesman Katya Pruett says in a statement that the company respects the workers' decision. Pruett says the company remains available for further discussion.

Don Hubbard is a member of the union's bargaining team. He says he hopes contract talks will resume and that the company will negotiate with the union. He says the issues include vacation time and wages. Mountain State was a joint venture between Severstal and the now-bankrupt RG Steel. That bankruptcy wiped out the old contract.